2025 Sentencing Amendments in Operation - Responses of the courts, prosecution and defence

Date: Wednesday 4th March 2026

Time: 5:30pm start concluding at 7:00pm

Venue: Stone Lecture Theatre, University of Auckland Law School, Level 3, 9 Eden Crescent, Auckland

Registration fees:

Members  $100 incl GST

Non-Members  $120 incl GST

bookings are essential as the venue is limited in space

Enquires: julia@legalresearch.org.nz

The 2025 sentencing amendments in operation - responses of the courts, prosecution and defence

The second half of 2025 saw the entry into force of a modified three-strikes scheme and changes to substantive sentencing law intended to place hard limits on reductions for personal mitigating factors. Practitioners were forewarned and forearmed - but the success of any legislative reform is measured in its application.

In March 2026, the Legal Research Foundation will present an examination of how the sentencing amendments are working in practice. How have the courts approached the provisions? What arguments from prosecution and defence have been accepted? What else do practitioners need to know about how the amendments operate in practice? This survey of the sentencing landscape will equip practitioners with an understanding of where arguments about these provisions are likely to head next.

The Legal Research Foundation is pleased to host practitioners, students and other interested professionals for this update and discussion with presenters Katie Hogan KC and Gareth Kayes, facilitated by Robin McCoubrey.

Attendees will also receive a paper analysing the case law. 

Gareth Kayes

Gareth is a director of Kayes Fletcher Walker – the office of the Manukau Crown Solicitor since 2015. In that role he specialises in criminal prosecutions in both the High Court and District Court.

Katie Hogan KC

Katie is a King’s Counsel practising from City Chambers. She is an experienced criminal lawyer with particular expertise in regulatory and criminal proceeds matters. 

Robin McCoubrey

Robin is a barrister at Richmond Chambers, specialising in criminal and regulatory law.  Before moving to the bar, he was a partner at Meredith Connell, the office of the Auckland Crown Solicitor.